One of the issues discussed at our intervention meeting last week was how bored my son was in math class.

Every so often third-grade students are given a placement test to evaluate their skills/weaknesses and placed together in groups based on results. In theory, this is an excellent way for students to work at their own pace with similar skill level. This quarter Jay was placed in a group who was beginning to develop their multiplication facts, something he mastered in kindergarten with Dziadek. "Mom, I'm drawing squares and counting them. I tried to work ahead but the teacher stopped me." I brought this up to the administration team (after determining that Jay is easily distracted during tests) and encouraged them to re-test him in a quiet room without any time restrictions.

On Friday he was re-tested.

On Monday he came home from school filled with new found pride. "This is THE best Monday of my life!" he smiled.

My little man scored so high that he was placed in the most challenging math group. He sat down at the kitchen table and described how he raised his hand all.the.time during the lesson, something he rarely does, and drew out math puzzles they were working on to prove the level of difficulty he so much enjoyed. He created a worksheet for me to complete and although I failed he led me through it until I understood. "See? It's so easy! These factors have the common sum of times 5 and minus 2." (Or something to that nature, math confuses me.) I couldn't help but shed a little tear. It's amazing to see what a little modification in his school day can really achieve.

After calling my entourage of support on the phone to share my son's good day, "Jay rocked his math placement test!" my daughter approached me with her hand on her hip. "I didn't hear you mention to anyone that I got straight A's on my report card." I quickly re-dialed everyone's phone number. "Hello, again. Are you sitting down? I have more good news to share. Did you know that I am the luckiest Mom in the world...." I started.

I don't want to see my cell phone bill.

This past weekend we were guests of Castaway Bay Resort & Waterpark (operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company in Sandusky, Ohio). The blogger event was centered around a family dinner and craft hour but as soon as Jay, future roller coaster engineer, saw two men in ties with Cedar Point name tags enter the room he pushed aside his cookie decorating project and leapt out of his seat. "Can I ask them questions?"

He stood before them asking every possible question he had ranging from top speeds to top heights and if they were planning any new coasters in the near future. The two gentleman were very inviting and chuckled at his enthusiasm. I know Jay was in heaven.

Jay was particularly interested in "Rendezvous Run" the 520 foot-long water roller coaster at Castaway Bay because he rode it no less then twenty times. The men explained that one particular roller coaster engineer, that they work with, spent his early days shaping wired coat hangers into coaster designs. I think I need to stop throwing away dry cleaning hangers.

Besides being a fantastic indoor waterpark (bigger then Great Wolf and smaller then Kalahari - perfect size for elementary school ages kids to roam around freely) the resort hosts some incredible family activities that I have yet to see at any other hotels we've been to, and we travel a lot all over the world. The daily family activities are printed out on paper upon your arrival and displayed throughout the resort. If someone hands me an itinerary of free events you can bet that I'm going to make sure we attend all of them. (The only activity we did that required money was T-shirt coloring)

Check out the family events compiled in our video. Stick around to see Lola's karaoke debut at the 0:34 mark where she rocked it out in front of a room full of teenagers. Girlfriend has confidence, no? Rock on.

Castaway Bay is close enough to Cleveland for a day trip (took us about 75 minutes). You can purchase waterpark passes for the day. There are clean showers, changing areas and lockers. I would recommend a day trip to anyone especially in this economy when not many can afford spending two nights in a hotel room. When we checked out on our last day at 11am we hit the waterpark again until 4pm, showered in the locker room, dressed, had dinner and returned for the night's family activities. We got the kiddos into their PJs, stuffed them into the car and were home by 10pm.

"Mama? I never ever want to leave!" Lola, age 7.

Daily passes are $29 per person. I have FOUR waterpark passes to giveaway to you (although my kiddos want to keep them for themselves). Comment for your chance to win by telling me what you enjoyed most about this post (to give me insight how to handle potential future "reviews"). That's it! Feel free to share it on Twitter/Facebook to make my day. One entry per email. Winner announced Friday 1-27-12.

Disclosure: our family attended a blogger event and while the accommodations/waterpark passes were paid for all opinions are my own.

If I could, I would snail mail a proper thank-you card to all of you. The card would have scalloped edges and raised print embossed with gold thread but it could never truly capture the gratitude that I have for your presence in my life. I'm blessed.

The husband and I went into the "intervention" meeting with not only every school document (like so many of you advised); but also, with notes from your comments compiled in a one inch binder. We felt well prepared and we felt your words. I set a new record and only cried three times during the two hour meeting. Baby steps. My mother was the first person I called after the meeting, "Mom? We've got an IEP scheduled!" And in her thick Slavic accent she replied, "I'm not surprised. I read your comments on blog of yours. You surround yourself by strong people. Strong people survive, Paulina."

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to comment and make a difference in our lives. I feel so blessed to be a "mommy blogger" with a smart audience. I don't know what I would do without you all.